Toy vehicle assembly

ABSTRACT

A TOY HYDROFOIL-TYPE HAVING REPLACEABLE AND RELEASABLY ATTACHABLE ELEMENTS. THE CRAFT IS POWERED BY A RUBBER-BAND DRIVE COUPLED TO A PROPELLER? THE PROPELLER IS HELD TO A SLOTTED MOUNTING ON THE CRAFT BODY BY A PIN AND CAP ARRANGEMENT, PERMITTING A FAULTY OR DAMAGED PROPELLER TO BE EASILY REPLACED. FRONT AND REAR HYDROSKIFOILS ARE PROVIDED WITH DETACHABLE WHEEL ASSEMBLIES WHICH REMAIN ATTACHED FOR LAND TRAVEL AND WHICH MAY BE DETACHED FOR WATER OPERATION.

. Jan. 26 1971 E. A. NIELSEN TOY VEHI-CLE ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 14, 1968 2Sheets-Sheet 1 A'I'TOHNICYS 1971 E. A. NIELSEN 3,557,488

TOY VEHICLE ASSEMBLY Filed on. 14, 1968 a 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F/GJZ UnitedStates Patent 3,557,488 TOY VEHICLE ASSEMBLY Edwin A. Nielsen,Oceanside, N.Y., assignor to Ideal Toy Corporation, Hollis, N.Y., acorporation of New York Filed Oct. 14, 1968, Ser. No. 767,291 Int. Cl.A63h 23/10 US. C]. 4696 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A toyhydrofoil-type craft having replaceable and releasably attachableelements. The craft is powered by a rubber-band drive coupled to apropeller; the propeller is held to a slotted mounting on the craft bodyby a pin and cap arrangement, permitting a faulty or damaged propellerto be easily replaced. Front and rear hydroskifoils are provided withdetachable wheel assemblies which remain attached for land travel andwhich may be detached for water operation.

This invention relates to an assembly for a toy vehicle and moreparticularly to interchangeable constructions permitting the vehicle toassume various modes for use.

After a period of experimentation and development, designers haveconcluded that some relatively advanced scientific principles can beapplied with considerable success to the toy field. Thus, while toyvehicles which are powered electrically or with other mechanical meanshave been available for some time, such vehicles which rely on otherforms of drive have not heretofore been considered to any great degree.

It has, however, recently been realized that the principles oraerodynamics, for example, could be utilized on such toy vehicles.Specifically, it has been recognized that the teachings of US. Pat. No.2,972,974 relating to hydrofoils and hydroskifoils can be applied to toyvehicles as well. One aspect of such application involves the variablelift and supporting characteristics of the hydroskifoil as described inco-pending application Serial No. 725,403, filed Apr. 30, 1968.

Although toy vehicles made in accordance with areodynamic principles andthe teachings of the above-identified patent, for example, areadvantageous and have superior play value, such toys often requirecertain additional features before they can be considered completelyacceptable. For example, it is most desirable if such toys areconstructed with sufficient versatility to permit their use in variousmodes, such as in travel on land, ice, snow or in or on water. Moreover,in view of the excessive Wear and abuse received by such toys,particularly when used by young children, it is desirable to provideinterchangeability of essential and vulnerable parts.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to obviate one ormore of the aforesaid difficulties.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a hydrofoil-type toyvehicle with detachable and adjustable elements to permit operation inmultiple modes.

It is a further object of this invention to provide the basic drivestructure with replaceable parts to facilitate returning the toy to anoperative condition after damage.

In one particular illustrative embodiment of the invention, a basicvehicle body is provided with a cutout in its underside for receivingtherein a front hydroskifoil. As described in the above-mentionedco-pending application, a curved horn member extends downwardly from thevehicle body and is provided with a plurality of graduated notches toreceive the rear edge of the front hydroskifoil therein-varying theangular orientation of the front hydroskifoil relative to the horizontalachieves various degrees of lift and support.

Patented Jan. 26, 1971 At the rear of the vehicle body is located abifurcated tail assembly comprising an upper propeller hub mounting anda lower rudder mounting. The propeller mounting consists of an enlargedhub having vertical slots in its opposite faces. A metallic cap isfitted over the rear hub face and is provided with a small hole throughwhich the propeller mounting pin passes. The propeller is attached tothe pin by terminating the pin at the rear of the propeller in anangular bend; the pin also passes through the two slots in the hubmounting and is hook-connected to a rubber-band drive element. In theevent that the propeller proves defective or is damaged through use, itcan simply be replaced by detaching the rubber-band from the hooked pinending and withdrawing the pin through the hub slots; the angular endingof the pin can then be bent to remove the damaged propeller, followingwhich a new pin is inserted through the propeller hole, bent andre-introduced through the hub slots.

The lower rudder mounting assembly includes a circular flange adapted tobe gripped by two or more arcuate brackets elevated from the surface ofthe rudder. Being generally made of plastic or other suitably flexiblematerial, the rudder can be attached to the flange by initiallyattaching one bracket over the flange and then bending the rudder topermit the other bracket to grip the flange as well. When it is somounted, the rudder can be rotated over 360 degrees, thus permitting theunderlying rudder wheel to be operative during land use and, followingdegrees of rotation, to permit the rudder fin to extend rearwardl (e.g.,with the wheel assembly removed).

Both the front and rear hydroskifoils are provided with detachable wheelassemblies, illustratively two for the former and one for the latter.The wheel assembly itself consists of a bifurcated mounting brackethaving two tabs extending upwardly therefrom. Each of the tabs isreceived within corresponding slots in the particular hydroskifoil. Dueto the resiliency of the tabs (made of plastic or suitable flexiblematerial), the wheel assemblies are retained in their slotted seats inthe absence of any specific withdrawing force. In addition, the wheelsthemselves are provided with short pin shafts which ride within theapertures in each of two side bracket pieces, thus facilitating ease ofremoval of the wheels themselves should that prove necessary. Thus, whenthe vehicle is to be used for Water travel, whether fully or partiallysubmerged, the wheel assemblies can be removed for greater streamlining.

It is therefore a feature of an embodiment of this invention that a toyvehicle includes hydroskifoils having one or more wheel assembliesreleasably secured thereto.

It is a further feature of an embodiment of this invention that ahydroskifoil is mounted for rotation on a vehicle body to permitmultiple mode operation as well as angular motion.

It is a still further feature of an embodiment of this invention thatmeans are provided for securing a propeller drive to a vehicle wherebythe propeller can be simply and rapidly replaced.

The above brief description, as well as further objects, features andadvantages of the present invention, will be more fully appreciated byreference to the following detailed description of the presentlypreferred, but nonetheless illustrative embodiment demonstrating objectsand features of the invention, when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a vehicle in accordance with the invention inassembled form;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the vehicle with a portion thereof being shownbroken away for clarity;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating three of the multiplepositions of the rotatable rudder assem- 3 bly taken along the line 33of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3 in thedirection of the arrows and showing the rudder assembly mounted forrotation about the rudder flange;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 3 in thedirection of the arrows showing the wheel assembly mounting arrangement;

FIG. 6 is a view taken from the line 66 of FIG. 5 in the direction ofthe arrows illustrating the wheels assembly mounted on the rudder;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional vi w taken along the line 77of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows and showing a portion of thepropeller assembly;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 88 of FIG. 2 in thedirection of the arrows and showing the front portion of the craftincluding the front hydroskifoil;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line9-9 of FIG. 8 in the direction of the arrows and illustrating thevariable angular mounting of the front hydroskifoil;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged and partially fragmentary exploded view of thepropeller assembly and mounting;

FIG. 11 is a side view of a vehicle in accordance with the inventionprepared for travel on ice, snow or the like;

FIG. 12 is a side view of a vehicle in accordance with the inventionprepared for water travel; and

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the front hydroskifoil ofFIG. 12 with a stabilizing member mounted thereon.

The vehicle illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown with the several wheelassemblies attached theretothe initial portion of this description willdeal with the vehicle as so assembled, although it will become apparenthereinbelow that in certain modes of operation, the wheel assemblieswill be detached. The basic vehicle includes an overall body 22 andfront and rear hydroskifoils 24 and 26 respectively. The fronthydroskifoil 24 includes slots 24a and 24b to receive correspondingwheel assemblies therein. The front hydroskifoil 24 is adapted to bereceived within an irregularly shaped cutout on the underside of body22at its upper front edge (see also FIG. 8), the hydroskifoil 24 engagesthe side of the body by means of tabs 2411; its rear edge has projectingtabs 24g adapted to be received within one of multiple slots 22b. Whenthe appropriate slot is selected, based upon the desired lift asdescribed in co-pending application Ser. No. 725,403, a grippingrubber-band 22d holds the hydroskifoil 24 in place by attachment in rearslot 220 of horn 22a and over tabs 24/1.

The rear rudder assembly 26 includes a basic tail portion 26a havingarcuate brackets 26g elevated therefrom as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.The brackets 26g are adapted to grip rudder mounting flange 22edepending from downwardly projecting tail member 22f, for example by theinitial attachment of one bracket 26g followed by the bending ofstructure 26 until the opposite bracket 26g also grips around flange 22e(FIG. 4). This mounting is not only convenient for purposes of partreplacement, but also permits the rotation of assembly 26 for purposesof angular control and mode selection. For example, the assembly 26 asillustrated in FIG. 2 is for travel on land. However, by rotating theassembly 180 degre s as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 4, the positionindicated in FIG. 12 can be obtainedthis latter position has beendetermined to be a more eflicient streamlined one for use in partiallyor completely submerged modes of operation. And whether the vehicle isbeing used in land or in water, there is considerable advantage in theoperators being able to control the direction of movement. Thus, asillustrated in FIG. 3, the assembly 26 can be rotat d to a great numberof positions to effect either slight or substantial angular control. Ifthe rear hydroskifoil 26 is rotated to the phantom position, whereby itsrear edge extends from the upper left to the lower right in FIG. 3,

the vehicle 20 would tend to travel in a substantially clockwise arc.Similarly, if the other phantom positions were assumed, a substantiallycounter-clockwise motion would obtain.

The basic drive for the vehicle is achieved by means of one or moresturdy rubber-bands 34 connected by means to be described below topropeller 30. The drive connection arrangement includes propeller hubmounting 32 comprising the terminal portion of the upper rearbifurcation of the craft body 22, rubber-band 34 and forward tab 36 overwhich rubber-band 34 is looped. As can be seen in the enlarged detailedviews of FIGS. 7 and 10, the hub 32b includes substantially horizontalwing tabs 32c projecting from opposite sides. In normal use of thecraft, a jacket or shroud 28 covers the entire drive arrangement from apoint adjacent to the wing tabs 32:: all the way forward to a pointwhereby the attachment of rubber band 34 over tab 36 is suitablyprotected. The forward end of shroud 28 includes a recess 28b adapted tobe engaged in substantially vertical slot 38 of body 22. It is notedthat while recess 28b provides a vertical engagement with slot 38, therecess is cut out from the oblique front surface of shroud 28, therebygiving the appearance of a normal slanted profile (see FIGS. 2, 11 and12). Shroud 28 is attached to craft 22 by initially inserting its reartabs 28a beneath wing tabs 322, for example with the left end of shroud28 elevated upwardly from the position illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12.Once these tabs have been engaged, the shroud can then be lowered to thepoint where recess 28b is received within the slot 38.

One of the features of the present invention includes the replaceabilityof propeller (and perhaps its accompanying mounting elements) should itbecome damaged or otherwise unusable. This has been one of the areas inwhich the prior art has proved deficientoften, the entire toy becameunusable when such a critical element was 40 damaged. Referring to FIGS.2, 7 and 10, propeller 30 is normally retained in its operative positionby means of mounting pin 32c. Specific engagement of the pin andpropeller is made by means of pin bend or turn-in 32 at the end ofpropeller passageway 30a, while at the opposite end, pin 320 is providedwith a hooked portion around which rubber-band 34 is looped. In normaluse, pin 32c passes through an aperture in mounting cap 32a which inturn is seated upon the right hand face of hub 32b. This face of hub 32bis provided with a vertical slot 32d, 3. similar slot appearing at theleft hand face through which the hooked portion of pin 320 projects.

In the event that propeller 30 becomes damaged or needs replacement, thefirst step is to detach rubber-band 34 from the left hand hooked portionof pin 320, thus permitting the pin to have free movement. The operatorthen can rotate the pin to the position illustrated in FIG. 10 wherebythe pin is in a substantially vertical plane. The pin can then simply bewithdrawn through the slots 32d in hub 32b, thereby removing thepropeller assembly including pin 320, cap 32a and propeller 30. It iscontemplated that replacement propellers will be supplied withreplacement pins 32c as well. Accordingly, the operator merely has tounbend the pin turn-in 32] and remove the propeller, insert a new pinand create the appropriate attachment turn-in 321 and reverse thedetachment process. When the pin has once again been projected throughthe front slot 32d in hub 32b, rubber-band 34 can be looped around thehook of pin 32c, thereby placing the drive mechanism in operatingcondition.

As has been stated heretofore, the vehicle of this invention is adaptedfor use in multiple modes. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates the craft 20with its elements assembled for land travel; FIG. 11 shows a mode ofoperation for v ice and snow (with rear fin 26b and front fins 24facting as a streamlined support members); and FIG. 12 illustrates thevehicle 20 operating beneath the surface of water 42. It is noted thatin the modes of operation illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the wheelassemblies have been removed from the front and rear hydroskifoils 24and 26. Such removal will be at the discretion of the operator, althoughland travel will be facilitated by use of the wheels, while water travelwill be facilitated by their removal; on surfaces such as snow and ice,it will generally be desirable to have the wheel assemblies removed.

The wheel assemblies for the front and rear hydroskifoils can beidentical and accordingly, the following discussion is applicable to allsuch assemblies. Considering the wheel assembly for rear hydroskifoil 26and referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, the assemblies are retained by frontand rear tabs within corresponding slots in hydroskifoil surface 26a.The assembly itself comprises a wheel 26c having pin and shaft members26d projecting outward from the centers thereof. The shafts 26d ride, oneach side of wheel 260, within slightly oversized holes 26 in sidebrackets 26s. These brackets are joined by cross-member 26g from theupper surface of which projects seating hump 26h and front and rear tabs26: and 26 The assembly is mounted onto the hydroskifoil surface 26a byinitially inserting into its corresponding slot rear tab 26 which has aslightly greater horizontal extent; when this insertion has beenachieved, the assembly can be rotated upwards such that tab 261' snapsinto place above the upper level of hydroskifoil surface 26a. At thatpoint, support hump 26h will have its upper surface contiguous with thelower level of hydroskifoil surface 26a.

Wheel assembly removal is essentially the reverse of the attachmentprocedure. That is, beginning with the position illustrated in FIG. 5,the operator applies gentle pressure to remove front tab 26i from itscorresponding slot. By counterclockwise rotation of the assembly abouttab 26j, the assembly will soon reach a point (e.g., when crosspiece 26gis nearly vertical) at which the horizontal portion of tab 261' cansimply be dropped through its retaining slot, thereby detaching theentire assembly.

In connection with the partially or completely submerged mode ofoperation illustrated in FIG. 12, there may be a tendency for the craftto lack complete stability. Accordingly, there is provided a stabilizingmember 44 to be attached to the left portion of front hydroskifoil 24.To have the craft 20 perform underwater turns, the stabilizing element44 may be positioned on the right portion of hydroskifoil 24. Variousintricate maneuvers can be obtained by an operator by the variablepositioning of stabilizer 44 both in different locations along the frontedge of hydroskifoil 24, and in different orientations, such as upsidedown-these variations will be largely in the control of an operatorwhose experimental technique will improve with practice.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements areillustrative of the application of the principles of the invention.Numerous other arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An assembly for a toy vehicle comprising a craft body, a firsthydroskifoil mounted on the front portion of said body for variableangular positioning with respect to the longitudinal axis of said body,a rubber-band drive member mounted lengthwise of said body and elevatedtherefrom, a removable propeller assembly adapted to be driven by saidrubber-band drive member, a rudder assembly releasably secured to therear of said body and including a second hydroskifoil, each of saidhydroskifoils having at least one detachable wheel assembly.

2. An assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said removablepropeller assembly includes a supporting hub on said body and havingfront and rear faces, each of said faces having a slot therein, apropeller, a connecting pin having a hooked end for detachable linkingto said rubber-band drive member and a turned-in end for locking saidpropeller thereto, and an apertured cap mounted on said rear face ofsaid hub for receiving said pin therethrough to provide a surface forrotational movement of said propeller.

3. An assembly in accordance with claim 2 including a forward mountingpin elevated from said body for receiving said rubber-band drive memberthereover having a mounting slot therein, said supporting hub having apair of wing tabs projecting laterally therefrom, and further includinga shroud for protective mounting over said rubber-band drive member,said shroud having a pair of rearwardly projecting tabs adapted to bereceived in mounting engagement with said wing tabs and a recess havinga front angular surface and a rear wall for releasable securement withsaid mounting slot.

4. An assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said craft bodyincludes a tail support member formed with an underlying andsubstantially circular flange projecting downward from said tail supportmember, and wherein said rudder assembly includes a pair of oppositelydisposed arcuate brackets elevated from said second hydroskifoil andadapted to grip said flange whereby said rudder assembly is therebyrotatable about said tail support member.

5. An assembly in accordance with claim 4 wherein said rudder assemblyincludes a fin connected to the underside of said second hydroskifoiland wherein said vehicle is adapted to be operated in a plurality ofmodes, a first mode having said fin in a forward position elevated fromthe travel surface and one of said wheel assemblies riding thereon and asecond mode, effected by the degree rotation of said rudder assemblyabout said tail support member, having said fin in a rear-ward positionriding on said travel surface and said wheel assembly detached from saidhydroskifoil.

6. An assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of saidhydroskifoils includes a pair of seating slots corresponding to eachsaid wheel assembly, said wheel assembly including a bifurcated mountingmember having apertured side brackets, an integral wheel member havingshafts projecting from opposite surfaces thereof for mounting in saidbrackets, a crossmember joining said brackets, and a pair of mountingtabs adapted to be received for releasable securement within saidseating slots of said hydroskifoils.

7. An assembly in accordance with claim 6 and including a seating humpelevated from said cross-member wherein a first of said tabs includes asubstantially horizontal member and the second of said tabs includes anarcuate stub, whereby said wheel assembly is mounted on saidhydroskifoil by the insertion of said substantially horizontal member inone of said seating slots and the rotational insertion of said stub intothe second of said seating slots, said rotational insertion beinglimited by contact between said seating hump and said hydroskifoil.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,371,989 3/1921 Butts 244-1011,407,410 2/ 1922 Hanna 46-93 2,238,464 4/ 1941 Fletcher 11466.5

RUSSELL R. KINSEY, Primary Examiner D. L. WEINHOLD, Assistant Examiner

